Cutting,crushing and screening mechanism



J. W. PUTT May 6, 1969 CUTTING, CRUSHING AND SCREENING MECHANISM Filed July 13, 1966 FIG. I

Sheet FIG.2

INVENTOR. J: 14/421: Parr May 6, 1969 J. w. PUTT CUTTING, CRUSHING AND SCREENING MECHANISM Sheet 2 of2 Filed July 13, 1966 [Illrll'lllllll FIG.7

FIG.8

INVENTOR. J. W/LQD P077 Afro/2M9 United States Patent 01 Rice 3,442,459 Patented May 6, 1969 US. Cl. 241-85 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus for cutting and screening detergent type bulk material into particles of no greater than a predetermined size without substantially increasing the density of said material.

In many industries, particularly in the manufacture of detergents, it is desirable to provide an inexpensive mechanism of simple structure for reducing cake material into particles of no greater than a predetermined size. Heretofore such equipment has been unavailable on the present day market.

A major object of the present invention is to provide 'a power-driven mechanism for crushing, cutting and screening bulk material into particles of no greater than a predetermined size, as well as a method of carrying out such an operation.

Another object of the invention is to supply a mechanism for reducing bulk material into particle size, which is structurally simple, can be fabricated from standard, commercially available materials, requires a minimum of maintenance attention, is compact and easy to operate, and can be sold or licensed on a royalty basis at a sufficiently low price as to encourage the widespread use thereof.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for reducing bulk material into particle size by the cooperative effort of concentrically positioned reticular shells which rotate in opposite directions, and in so doing, subject bulk material situated therebetween to a crushing, cutting and screening action.

A further object of the invention is to furnish a mechanism for reducing bulk material to particle size in which each of the reticular shells, such as expanded metal, or the like, used therewith can be easly and quickly removed from the mechanism and replaced by shells in which openings of diiferent sizes are formed to vary the size of the particles produced.

Yet another object of the invention is to supply a bulk material reducing mechanism of such structure that it may be operated for prolonged periods of time without the reduced material causing undue friction or binding between the oppositely rotating shells thereof.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a material reducing mechanism that includes a novel drive and support for the outwardly disposed shell.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide bulk material reducing mechanisms which can be so arranged that particles may cascade from one to another to be subjected to a sequence of size-reducing operations.

An additional object of the invention is to furnish a bulk material reducing mechanism in which the speed of rotation of each shell is independently adjustable relative to the another one thereof, with the angu'lation of the wedge-shaped annulus space between the shells being determined by the taper of the inner shell.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism, which when roughly the size of a fifty-five gallon drum can cut and screen cake detergent material or other bulk material of substantially the same density at a rate of fifty to seventy pounds per minute, and selectively produce particles within a range of between two inches and one-eighth inch in size.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of several forms thereof, and from the acc0mpanying drawings illustrating the same, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a first form of the mechanism, a portion of which is cut away to show the interior thereof;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the first form of the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary enlarged, vertical, crosssectional view of the first form of the mechanism, taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view of that portion of the invention enclosed within the circle shown in phantom line in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary enlarged, transverse crosssectional view of the first form of the device, taken on the line 55 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of a second form of the invention;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary, vertical cross-sectional view of the second form of the mechanism, taken on the line 77 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged view of that portion of the second form of the device embraced by the circle shown in phantom line in FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a third form of the invention; and

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged view of that portion of the third form of the mechanism enclosed within the circle shown in phantom line in FIGURE 9.

With particular reference to FIGURES 1-5 of the drawings for the general arrangement of the first form A of the present invention, it will be seen to include a vertically disposed frame B that supports a cylindrical protective wall C at a desired elevation above a floor surface D. The top 10 of wall C is open, and the downwardly sloping bottom 12 of the wall is in com munication with an opening 14 formed in the lower portion thereof. A spout 16 projects outwardly and downwardly from wall C, and is in communication with opening 14. A centrally disposed opening 18 is formed in bottom 12, and communicates with a vertical tubular boss 20, as may best be seen in FIGURE 3. Boss 20 is rigidly supported on the upper surface of bottom 12 by welding, or other connecting means.

A first cylindircal shell E is disposed within wall C and radial-1y separated therefrom by an annulus-shaped space 22. Shell E is formed from a sheet material of reticular structure in which a number of spaced openings 24 are formed, as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5. From experience, it has been found most satisfactory to construct shell E from a commercially available type of expanded sheet metal.

A second shell F is provided, which in configuration defines at least a part of a cone. Shell F is coaxially aligned relative to shell E, and is rotatably supported within the confines thereof. At least a side wall 25 of shell F is fabricated from a rigid sheet material of reticular structure, such as conventional expanded sheet metal or the like, in which a number of spaced openings 26 are formed. Second shell F is illustrated in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings as being frusto-conical in shape.

The lower edge 28 of first shell E (FIGURES 3 and 4) rests on the upper surface of a rigid circular, horizontal flange 30 that projects outwardly from the lower edge of a vertical cylindrical web 32. A second circular flange 34 projects inwardly from the upper edge of web 32, and is connected to the outer ends of a number of radially spaced spokes 36 which project inwardly to a hub 38. Flanges and 34, together with web 32, cooperately provide a ring structure that is identified as a unit in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4 by the letter G. It will be noted in figure that the lower interior surface of shell E is in abutting contact with the exterior surface of web 32. Hub 38 (FIGURE 3) is rotatably supported on the upper horizontal edge of boss 20, and is connected to the upper exterior end of a vertical tubular shaft 40 by cOnventional means.

A number of circumferentially spaced, L-shaped lugs 42' are secured to the lower exterior portion of first shell E, one of which is shown in FIGURE 4. Each lug 42 has a vertical bore 44 formed therein, through which a stud bolt 46 extends. The lower ends of bolts 46 are affixed to the upper surface of flange 30 by welding beads 46a, or the like. When stud bolts 46 are threadedly engaged by nuts 48, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, the first shell E is removably supported on ring G and can be rotated when the first shaft 40 is driven. An opening is provided in the cylindrical wall C (FIGURE 1) at such elevation as to permit nuts 48 to be loosened whereby the first shell B may be removed from ring G and replaced by another in which openings 24 of different size are formed. Opening 50 may be closed by a door 52 that is held in a closed position by means of a latch 54, as also shown in FIGURE 1.

A second vertical shaft 56 illustrated in FIGURE 3, extends upwardly through the first shaft 40 and is connected by a pin 58 to a tubular member 60. Member 60 has an inverted cup-shaped body 62, which is secured to the lower end of this member by welding beads 64, or like fastening means. The upper interior surface of the body 62 rests on the upper race of a ball bearing assembly '66, with the lower race of the assembly resting on the upper surface of the hub 38, best seen in FIGURE 3.

A fiat circular plate of substantially lesser diameter than that of the first shell E is secured to the upper portion of the tubular member 60 by welding beads 72, or other suitable fastening means. The upper interior peripheral edge of the second shell F is secured to the outer circumferential edge of plate 70, as shown in FIGURE 3, by welding or the like. The side wall 25 of shell F is frusto-conical in shape.

A circular reinforcing rib 74 is secured to the interior surface of the side wall 25 a substantial distance below plate 70, and is connected by spokes 76 to a hub 78 that is rigidly affixed to the exterior surface of the tubular member 60 by conventional means, such as welding or the like. If desired, the rib 74, spokes 76, and hub 78 may be formed as an integral unit from a sheet of rigid material, such as steel or the like, by means of an appropriate cutting operation.

A second ring 80 is provided (FIGURES 3 and 4) that overlies the flange 34 and is separated therefrom by a space 82. The exterior diameter of ring 80 is such that the circumferential edge 84 thereof is disposed as close as possible to the interior surface of the first shell E without coming into frictional contact therewith, as the first and second shells E and F are rotated relative to one another. The lower edge of second shell F is rigidly secured to the upper outer surface of ring 80 by welding beads 85, or like fastening means, as shown in FIGURE 4.

A number of circumferentially spaced spokes 86 extend inwardly from ring 80, and are secured to the lower exterior surface of the inverted cup-shaped member 62 by welding beads 88, or the like. From the above description it will be seen that the second shell F will be rotated when the second shaft 56 is driven by power means, as will hereinafter be described in detail.

A sprocket 90 is mounted on the first shaft 40, as shown in FIGURE 1, and this sprocket is engaged by an endless chain belt 92 that extends to a driving sprocket 94 mounted on a shaft 96 which projects upwardly from a 4 gear reduction unit 98. Unit 98 (FIGURE 1) is actuated by a prime mover 100 that normally is an electric motor.

A second sprocket 102 is aifixed to the lower end of second shaft 56, and is engaged by an endless chain belt 104 extending to a driving sprocket 106, also shown in FIGURE 1, which is a part of a conventional gear reduction unit 108 driven by a prime mover 110, such as an electric motor, or the like. The reduction units 98 and 108 are secured at convenient locations on the frame B by conventional means.

First shell E and second shell F, as best seen in FIG- URES 2 and 3, cooperatively define an annulus-shaped space 112 therebetween that decreases in width in relation to the depth thereof. The width of the upper portion of space 112 must be sufficiently large as to permit the largest piece of bulk material 112 to be reduced to particle size to be placed in' this space in pressure contact with the interior surface of first shell E and exterior surface of second shell F.

In operation of the invention, the motor 100 is so chosen that it drives the shell E in a first direction, while the prime mover concurrently drives the shell F in a second directioi'l opposite that of the first. Openings 24 in the first shell E are defined between a number of spaced, rigid net-like members 114 as shown in FIGURE 5, that are of generally square transverse cross section, and are provided with cutting edges 114a which face in the clockwise direction in which shell E rotates, as indicated by the arrows 116 in FIGURES 2 and 5. The shell F also has openings 26 formed therein defined by a number of rigid netlike members 118 provided with cutting edges 118a facing in the counter clockwise direction in which shell F rotates, as shown by the arrows 120 in FIGURES 2 and 5.

In using the first form A of the invention, the bulk material 112, shown in phantom line in FIGURE 3, is dropped through the upper open end of the first shell E, and which either rests on the upper surface of the plate 70 or drops into the space 112. Those portions of the material 122 that enter the space 112 tend to move downwardly therein due to the force of gravity. When the first shell E is driven in a first direction and the second shell F in a second direction opposite thereto, the bulk material 122 in space 112 is subjected to a crushing action between the two oppositely rotating shells, as well as a cutting action from the edges 114a and 118a which come into contact with the bulk material as it moves in opposite directions. The cut portions of the bulk material 112 are subjected to further cutting action from the edges 114a and 118a until they have been reduced to such size as to pass through the openings 24 and drop down onto the bottom 12 or pass inwardly through openings 26 to also fall onto the bottom 12.

As the bulk material 122 drops onto the bottom 12, it tends to slide therefrom due to the force of gravity and flow through the spout 16 to a desired location. It will be particularly noted in FIGURE 4 that the space 84a between edge 84 and the interior surface of first shell E is exceedingly small, and to the extent that reduced particles of material 122 will pass outwardly through openings 24 rather than down through this space. Movement of the particled material in the manner described eliminates the possibility of a buildup thereof in the spaces 82 or 84a, with resultant binding of the first shell E relative to the second shell F as they rotate in opposite directions. Although the shell F is illustrated as being frusto-conical, it may be cone-shaped, if desired.

A second form H of the invention is shown in FIG- URES 6-8 inclusive. Form H includes a rigid frame 124 that supports a cylindrical shell 126 in a. vertical position at a desired elevation above the ground surface. A sheet of expanded metal 128 horizontally extends between the edges of shell 126, and is affixed thereto by conventional means. Sheet 128 supports a screen 130 that may be hardware cloth, or the like. A rotor 13-2 is mounted on the lower end of a vertical shaft 134 that is disposed inside the shell 126, as illustrated in FIGURES 6 and 7. Rotor 132 includes a hub 136 secured to the lower end of a vertical shaft 134 by conventional means, and a number of circumferentially spaced rigid blades 138 extend outwardly from the hub. Each of the blades has a flat lower edge 140 that is spaced a slight distance above the upper surface of the screen 130, and each blade is angularly tilted in the direction in which it will rotate when driven by shaft 134.

Shaft 134 rotatably engages a bearing 142 positioned above the hub 136, and a number. of circumferentially spaced spokes 144 extend outwardly from this bearing that are secured by welding, or other conventional means, to the interior surface of the shell 126. A gear box 146 is supported on cross members 148 affixed to the upper ends of frame 124, which gear box is. of such structure that rotary movement of a shaft 150 forming a part there of is transmitted to the shaft 134. Shaft 150 is driven by a vertically positioned power transmission unit 152 of conventional design, that extends downwardly along one side of the shell 126, in the manner shown in FIGURE 6. The power transmission unit 152 is driven by a prime mover 154 such as an electric motor that is mounted on a bracket structure 156 affixed to the frame 124. A sequence of openings 158 is formed in the expanded sheet 128, as shown in FIGURE 8.

The second form H of the invention is particularly useful in further reducing the size of the particled material 122 which is discharged from the first form A of the mechanism. The particled material 122 to be further reduced in size is discharged into the upper open end of the shell 126 and falls therein onto the screen 130. As the blades 138 are driven, the particled material 122 is forced downwardly onto screen 130 due to the angulation of the blades, and are crushed, cut and screened by the blade action during rotation thereof relative to the screen 130. The sheet 128 serves to reinforce the screen 130 against vertical deformation as the above action takes place.

A third form J of the invention is shown in FIGURES 910 inclusive, which includes a first hopper 160 into which the material 122 to be reduced to particle size is discharged. The hopper 160 comprises two laterally spaced side walls 162, the lower ends 164 of which are curved and positioned adjacent to the upper exterior surface of a horizontal cylindrical shell 166. Shell 166, together with two circular end pieces 168, cooperatively define a first roll K that is driven by a horizontal shaft 170. Hopper 160 also includes a front wall 172, in the lower portion of which an opening 174 is formed through which material in the hopper can be discharged due to the force of gravity onto the upper surface of roll K. The rear wall 176 of hopper 160 is angularly disposed relative to front wall 172. Roll K, as illustrated in FIGURE 9, is driven by the shaft 170 in a counter clockwise direction by power means (not shown).

A second roll L is provided that is horizontally disposed, and includes a second cylindrical shell 178 formed from expanded sheet matal in which a number of openings 180 are formed, as shown in FIGURE 10. At least two laterally spaced rings 182 are secured to the interior surface of shell 178, and a number of spokes 184 extend inwardly from each ring to a hub 186 that is rigidly secured to a horizontal shaft 188. Shaft 188 is driven in a clockwise direction by power means (not shown).

The openings 180 in shell 178 are defined by rigid, netlike members 190 of substantially square transverse cross section, which are so oriented as to provide cutting edges 190a that face in the direction in which roll L rotates. Material 192 (FIGURE that is to be reduced in size, flows from the first hopper 160 to a position between the rolls K and L Where it is subjected to a cutting and crushing action as it passes between the rolls and then drops as a stream 194 of particles of a desired size into 6 the confines of a second hopper 196, as may best be seen in FIGURE 9.

Although not illustrated herein, a number of the first forms of the invention A can be disposed one above the other, with each unit discharging particled material 122 into that one situated immediately therebelow to further reduce the particled material in size.

The use and operation of the various forms of the invention have been described in detail herein and need not be repeated.

Although the present invention is fully capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore mentioned, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments thereof, and I do not mean to be limited to the details of construction herein shown and described, other than as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A mechanism for reducing bulk detergent type material into particles of no greater than a predetermined size without substantially increasing the density thereof, comprising:

(a) a first vertical cylindrical shell of reticular structure in which a plurality of first openings are formed that are at least partially defined by knife edges and through which first openings said particles can pass;

(b) a second shell that includes a side wall of reticular structure in the form of at least a portion of a cone which is disposed in said shell and in coaxial alignment therewith, with said second shell having a plurality of second openings formed therein that are at least partially defined by knife edges and through which second opening said particles can pass, which second shell is radially spaced from said first shell with said side wall thereof, extending upwardly and inwardly relative thereto, with said first and second shells cooperatively defining an annulus-shaped bulk material receiving space therebetween that decreases in transverse cross section from the top to the bottom thereof, and with the lower edge of said second shell being so closely spaced to the interior surface of said first shell that said bulk material cannot move downwardly therebetween due to force of gravity after reduction thereof into said particles;

(c) first and second concentric tubular shafts extending upwardly relative to said first and second shells, with said first shaft being rigidly connected to said first shell and said second shaft to said second shell; and

(d) at least one prime mover for rotating said first shaft and shell in a first direction and said second shaft and shell in a second direction opposite to said first direction to cut said bulk material discharged into said annulus-shaped space, and screen said material that has been cut to particles of no greater than said predetermined size as the same are moved outwardly through said first openings by centrifugal force and inwardly through said second openings by force of gravity to thereafter drop to positions below said shells;

(e) a plurality of circumferentially spaced horizontal spokes which extend outwardly from said first shaft under said second shell;

(f) a rigid ring supported on the outer end of sa d spokes, and on which ring the lower edge of said first shell rests; and

(g) fastening means for securing said first shell to said ring.

2. A device as defined in claim 4 wherein said first openings in said first shell are partially defined by first cutting edges that are oriented to cut when said first shell is rotated in said first direction.

3. A device as defined in claim 4 wherein said second openings in said side wall of said second wall are partially defined by second cutting edges that are oriented to cut 7 when said second shell is rotated in said second direction.

4. A mechanism for reducing bulk material into particles of no greater than a predetermined size which includes:

(a) a first vertical cylindrical shell of reticular structure in which a plurality of first openings are formed and through which said particles can pass;

(b) a second shell that includes a side wall of reticular structure in the form of at least a portion of a cone which is disposed in said shell and in coaxial alignment therewith, with said second shell having a pl-urality of second openings formed in said side wall thereof through which said particles can pass, which second shell is radially spaced from said first shell with said side wall thereof extending upwardly and inwardly relative thereto, with said first and second shells cooperatively defining an annulus-shaped bulk material receiving space therebetween that decreases in transverse cross section from the top to the bottom thereof, and with the lower edge of said second shell being so closely spaced to the interior surface of said first shell that said bulk material cannot move downwardly therebetween due to force of gravity after reduction thereof into said particles;

(c) first and second concentric tubular shafts extending upwardly relative to said first and second shells, with said first shaft being rigidly connected to said first shell and said second shaft to said second shell;

(d) at least one prime mover for rotating said first shaft and shell in a first direction and said second shaft and shell in a second direction opposite to said first direction to cut said bulk material discharged into said annulus-shaped space, and screen said material that has been cut to particles of no greater than said predetermined size as the same are forced outwardly through said first openings and inwardly through said second openings to thereafter drop by force of gravity to positions below said shells;

(e) a plurality of circumferentially spaced horizontal spokes which extend outwardly from said first shaft under said second shell;

(f) a rigid ring supported on the outer end of said spokes, and on which ring the lower edge of said first shell rests;

(g) a plurality of circumferentially spaced stud bolts projecting upwardly from said first ring;

(h) a plurality of circumferentially spaced horizontal lugs extending outwardly from said first shell, and in which lugs openings are formed through which said stud bolts project; and

(i) a plurality of nuts that engage said bolts to removably maintain said first shell on said first ring.

5. A mechanism as defined in claim 4 wherein said side wall of said second shell is frusto-conical, and said second shell further includes:

(e) a horizontal rigid circular plate secured to said second shaft and the upper edge of said side wall of said second shell;

(f) a rigid horizontal ring, the upper, outer circumferential surface of which is secured to the lower edge of said side wall of said second shell; and

(g) a plurality of circumferentially spaced horizontal spokes that extend inwardly from said ring to said second shaft and are secured thereto.

6. A mechanism as defined in claim 4 which further includes:

(e) a continuous vertical protective wall that extends around said first shell and is outwardly spaced therefrom; and

(f) a bottom that closes the lower end of said wall and through which said first and second shafts extend, and on which bottom said particles of no greater than said predetermined size are deposited after the same have passed through said first and second openings.

7. A mechanism as defined in claim 4 wherein said bottom is angularly disposed relative to the horizontal to such a degree that said particles of no greater than said predetermined size which drop thereon will flow therefrom by force of gravity through an opening on said wall to the exterior thereof.

8. A mechanism as defined in claim 4 which further includes:

(i) a continuous vertical protective wall that extends around said first shell and is spaced outwardly therefrom; and

(j) a bottom that closes the lower end of said wall through which said first and second shafts extend, and on which said bottom said particles of no greater than said predetermined size are deposited after the same have passed through said first and second openings;

(k) at least one door movably supported on the exterior of said wall that closes an opening provided therein, which opening is in vertical alignment with said nuts to permit removal thereof from said bolts and removal of said first shell from said ring for replacement thereof by another having first openings of different size; and

(1) means for locking said door in a closed position relative to said protective wall.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 325,979 9/1885 Sebastian 24193 665,935 1/1901 Rudolph 241 X 910,196 1/1909 Hess 241-85 X 926,801 7/ 1909 Axtell 241-91 934,694 9/ 1909 Pratt 241293 X 1,327,254 1/1920 Remmers. 2,749,052 6/1956 Romera 241-74 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,073,188 1/1960 Germany.

ANDREW R. JUHASY, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

